Operation Brevity Order of Battle - British and Commonwealth Forces

British and Commonwealth Forces

General Officer, Commanding in chief, Middle East Command - General Archibald Wavell

HQ Western Desert Force - Lieutenant-General Noel Beresford-Peirse

Operational command - Brigadier William Gott

The British and Commonwealth force were drawn mainly from the 7th Armoured Division's, 7th Armoured Brigade and 7th Support Group and from the independent 22nd Guards Brigade. They were organised into three groups:

  • Coast Group
    • 2nd battalion The Rifle Brigade (minus one company)
    • Mortar support, 3rd battalion Coldstream Guards
    • 5th Australian Anti-tank Battery, 2/2nd Australian Anti-Tank Regiment (2 Pounder Anti Tank guns)
    • 8th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (25 Pounder Field guns)
  • 22nd Guards Brigade group
    • 1st battalion Durham Light Infantry
    • 2nd battalion Scots Guards
    • 3rd battalion Coldstream Guards
    • 4th Royal Tank Regiment (24 Matilda Mk II Infantry tanks)
    • One troop, 12th Anti-Tank Battery, 2/3rd Australian Anti-tank Regiment (2 Pounder Anti Tank guns)
  • 7th Armoured Brigade group
    • A Company, 2nd battalion The Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (29 Cruiser tanks)
    • 6th Australian Division Cavalry (~28 Light Tank Mk VIB)
    • 7th Support Group (elements)
    • 11th Hussars(Marmon-Herrington Armoured Cars)
    • One troop, 12th Anti-Tank Battery, 2/3rd Australian Anti-tank Regiment (2 Pounder Anti Tank guns)

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